I have been living in Thailand for 5 years on tourist visas. Quite ligitimately by 6 month tourist visas from the uk, and my last one was a double entry at Vientienne.

The double entry has expired and I did a Mae Sai trip for a 30 day stamp, but I was hassled about no more border runs; albeit this was my first.

So time for change; the one based on marriage I think.?

I am married of course, have a yellow book but as of the end of this month when this 30 day ends I will not have not been able to show a 400k for 2 month.(I dipped below that figure for 6 weeks subbing a new build before a mortgage!- but now all back again)

my question is; do I have to go to Vientienne/savanna(out of Thailand) to start this process or can i go to the local immigration office.?

thank you.

You will need to secure a NON O visa outside Thailand and then apply for the extension of stay during the last 30 days of the 90 days stay which the visa will provide.

It's possible to convert your tourist visa to a Non Immigrant, but only at Bangkok immigration and you need to show 400k in your bank when applying. Once you have the Non 'O' you can apply for a 1 year extension a couple of months after the conversion as long as the 400k has been in your account for 2 months.

If you want to buy more time you could apply to extend your Tourist visa for 60 days at your local immigration office. No proof of 400k needed.

Or you can go to Vientannie/Savannakhet and get a new single entry Non 'O' visa based on marriage. No income proof needed. That gives you a 90 day stay and you can apply for a 1 year extension of stay 30 days before that 90 day stay expires.

Your best option is to make a trip to Vientiane to get a single entry non-o visa based upon marriage.

Then apply for the one year extension during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry the visa will allow.

Thanks everyone, a unanimous 3 hands advising to get back to the most boring place in the world!; but I read Savanna is worse.

as a matter of interest what is the fee for the single entry; and thereafter what do you guys pay for the full year one?

Single Entry Non Imm O Visa: 2,000 Baht

Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa: 5,000 Baht

12 Month Extension from Immigration: 1,900 Baht